Protest: Parishioner Protest the Closing of Catholic Church ends Peacefully

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - A human barricade inside St. Emeric Church on W. 22nd has ended.

The church closed for good Wednesday as dozens protested outside.

Some parishioners even locked themselves inside the church around midnight last night with all kinds of supplies, including mattresses, trying to let the diocese know that they were in this for the long haul.

The protestors came out once they got word the police would actually knock down the doors.

The diocese released this statement concerning the incident:

Following a prayer service on June 30, 2010, a small group of people unlawfully occupied St. Emeric Church, which officially closed on that date.

Today, we politely asked that they leave, and a police officer advised them that they would be considered to be trespassing if they did not do so. A short time later, the group left peacefully.

We are grateful for a prompt and peaceful resolution of this matter and will continue to work in cooperation with the police to ensure public safety and the security of Church property.

Before the group came out they were in contact with a spokesperson from the diocese who gave them some promises that they'll possibly talk more about the future of their church.